TACOMA, Wash. — Since his arrest for the murder of Nicole White, Jonathan Harris has refused to tell detectives, and her family what happened. Now, Harris has told prosecutors he's ready to talk.
On Thursday, Harris admitted he murdered the 28-year-old mother of two, pleading guilty to second degree murder and assault. Harris met White through an online dating website in June, 2015. She disappeared after the two were seen together at a Spanaway bar.
Her body was later found wrapped in a tarp in a wooded area several miles away. White had been beaten to death.
After the 30 year Harris' plea --, White's mother left court unable to talk about the case. "I have too many emotions right now," she said.
White's sister and a family friend said Harris' plea to second degree murder instead of first degree was frustrating.
'We're not very happy about that, especially for the crime that was committed," said family friend Ami Ancira. "The fact that he has any rights at all is very disappointing."
But White's sister said his agreement to finally answer detectives' questions about her death was important.
"He's going to say what happened, so I think for closure, for the family, it's going to be better. And not going to trial is going to be a lot better," said Melisa Nieto.
Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist says his office made Harris' confession part of their plea deal.
"We're looking to get justice in these case, but also provide closure for the families, and that's what we're going to do here," Lindquist said.
Harris' plea deal doesn't guarantee him a shorter prison sentence. He also admitted to an assault charge. Prosecutors say combined with the second degree murder plea, Harris could receive a sentence of more than 26 years, roughly the same as a jury conviction of first degree murder. Sentencing is scheduled for late September.
Pierce County man pleads guilty to murder of Nicole White
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